Posted By RichC on September 1, 2024
As a weekend mechanic (or far less to be truthful), I’ve used air powered impact tools and a couple different cheaper branded impact wrenches for years. The Chicago Tool impact wrench from decades ago never had the power to make it even worth pulling out and so it was replaced with a Harbor Freight more-torque “Earthquake” model before there were decent battery versions. 
I use that in the garage to this day as it still impresses me (one of the better tool buys).
About a decade ago when trying to replace a broken Craftsman tool, I bought a clearance price Craftsman 1/2” Impact driver at the Sears store while I was waiting (when they still existed). It came with a Lithium Ion battery and would work with my 2-19.2 Volt Drills with dying NiCad battery packs (before my Ridgid conversion).
Fast forward to adding additional Ridgid branded cordless tools to my shop. I’ve been adding new tools here or there and have found them excellent for the home-tool-owner … and perhaps “light-duty” technician. The Limited Lifetime Agreement (LSA) has been “good” as they replace a couple failing batteries (I’ve only had one slow-drain tool problem that they will not fix or replace). The fact that they are conveniently sold at Home Depot and their online store with free delivery make them too tempting. So … I ended up adding a new 1/2” Ridgid Mid-Torque Impact Wrench to my tool cabinet since the smaller 1/4” and 3/8” drivers have been fantastic.
The results haven’t been as disappointing … even with the 5-star rating from users online. The fact is, the Craftsman 1/2” Impact Wrench works better and the HF Earthquake pneumatic impact wrench is better than both. Oh, they work, just not the way I would like them too. Buyer beware.
Category: Advice, Tools |
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Tags: airtool, battery, cordless, craftsman, garage, pneumatic, ridgid
Posted By RichC on August 31, 2024
The folder labelled “MyCubby” on my Microsoft OneDrive is a place I collect 
images, links, photos, etc that might be worth looking at again … or perhaps used on the blog.
Each month I try to start fresh with a relatively empty space … so to prepare for September 2024, I’ll archive a couple items on MyDesultoryBlog for posterity.
First for a little American political humor with a couple of baseball players — Burr and Hamilton. Let’s hope they don’t end up like Aaron and Alexander did in 1804? 😊
Below is a photo with an illustration pertaining to a nagging injury to my left foot or big toe. It has bothered me on and off for over a year and flares up when I put weight on my left toe or wear certain shoes.
And then there is a “climate change” chart that I included in a post on X.com which sort of illustrates to me that perhaps we don’t observe change with a wide enough lens … a better perspective of “time” might be something worth considering???
(more…)
Category: Archive, Automotive, History, Humor, Medical, Misc, Photos, Science, Social Media, Weather |
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Tags: big toe, climate change, ice age, leftovers, mycubby
Posted By RichC on August 30, 2024
Record heat all this week, but today was especially HOT!
What’s wrong with this Ohio vs Florida summer temperature comparison???
Category: Weather |
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Tags: cincinnati, florida, hot, ohio, temperatures, weather
Posted By RichC on August 30, 2024
In scanning through a couple of “foreign” woodworking magazines, there were a couple of ideas and even a set of plans (in metric) that I decided to snip and archive.
Loved the idea above for hanging cords, etc … similar to a commercial one that I use … and a more complicated Slant Leg Coffee Table with antiqued finish (PDF article).
Category: Archive, Woodworking |
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Tags: pdf, plans, project, woodworking, workshop
Posted By RichC on August 29, 2024
Last year about this time, I posted about making or buying a Rockler Box Joint Jig for my router table. Eventually I did buy it on sale a few months ago but with summer arriving, I didn’t find the time to work in the basement workshop.
While catching up on some woodworking magazine reading last week, I was triggered to tinker with it and get it set up just to see how it worked. I cut a few short pieces of 1/2” oak (from Katelyn and Drew’s property) to set it up with and decided to make a square box (think of it as a same drawer). After a couple mistakes in setting up the finger joint jig (see AI description at bottom of this post), I shortened one of the sides and decided it would be a rectangular sample box. HA!
I few “finger cuts” with a 1/2” spiral router bit, the setting seemed correct and I proceeded to complete a small box and rabbeted the underside to fit in the bottom. Brenda liked it and decided instead of it sitting on the shelf in the workshop that she would see if it fit in on the new laundry room shelves. I suspect she now wants a few more to match? 😊
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Category: Hobby, Ideas, Tidbits, Woodworking |
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Tags: box, jig, lumber, magazine, project, rockler, router, router table, woodworking
Posted By RichC on August 28, 2024
Normally this is the time of the year to watch the tropical weather in the Atlantic Ocean “because” in impacts the Caribbean islands and most of the eastern seaboard and Gulf of Mexico states. BUT … this year so far the storms impacting Hawaii are in the news.
Category 1 Hurricane Hone passed mostly south of the Big Island known as Hawaii and roughed up seas and spun wind and rain over the island. It is being followed by Gilma and Hector … so tropical storm watchers are paying attention. Here’s a video highlighting their spinning as of August 27, 2024.
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Category: Social Media, Video, Weather |
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Tags: big island, gilma, hawaii, hector, hone, hurricance, pacific ocean, tropical
Posted By RichC on August 27, 2024
The “flowers photo” was not the purpose of this post, but because the tiny purple flowers looked so nice this past weekend, I took a photo (I should know the name or at least take the time to look it up … but I’m not).
BUT the real reason was to archive the very messy wire-brushing and de-rusting of my old rusty orange Bame Utility Trailer that doubles as both as a large yard trailer and small “behind the car” utility trailer. It has been excellent over the years, but has seen better days.
It needed a complete overhaul so first was to remove as much rust as possible … then repack the bearings, order new rubber tires and finally repair the damage wiring and plug from long ago. For good measure i’ll be adding new wooden sides someday so that I can continue to haul logs, leaves and hopefully some more lumber back from Katelyn and Drew’s garage.
Does the color look familiar? I had some leftover John Deere GREEN paint from when I inherited and repair Dad Howard’s lawn tractor trailer. 😊
Photo of
Brenda and sister Chris and after painting the trailer from years ago
(more…)
Category: Archive, Misc, Photos, Repairs |
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Tags: bame, de-rusting, painting, trailer, utility, wirebrushing
Posted By RichC on August 26, 2024
Bob Marley and The Wailers performing at the Crystal Palace Concert Bowl
on The Summer of ’80 Garden Party on June 7, 1980
Here’s some music from my era, but because it is reggae, it is not typical for me or for Music Monday.
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Bob Marley and the Wailers
“Three Little Birds” | 1980 |
“Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley and the Wailers was released on the album Exodus from 1977, on side two — the fourth song. So with the popularity, it was again released as a single in 1980.
Something different to be sure, but it does make one smile.
Category: Music |
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Tags: bob marley, jamaica, music monday, musicmonday, reggae, three little birds
Posted By RichC on August 25, 2024
May the peace and tranquility one derives from imagining escaping to a cabin of solitude overlooking a mountain lake, be the same as when reading Proverbs.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
— Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
Category: Advice, Faith, Nature |
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Tags: bible, cabin, christianity, lake, mountain, proverbs, tranquility
Posted By RichC on August 24, 2024
So much for for trying to treat our tail and hairless Red Fox for mange with a feral cat in the area. Each morning or evening this black cat thinks I’m putting food out for her … or him?
So much for attempting to get the Ivermectin injected 
meatball to the right animal … although this feline will be cured whether it is mange or Covid19.
Category: Nature |
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Tags: cat, feral, ivermectin, mange, red fox